Tag: grand sumo

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Mitoryu (M16) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Oho (M16) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Chiyoshoma (M13) beat Daishoho (M11)
Hokuseiho (M11) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Takanosho (M8)
Ryuden (M10) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Onosho (M9) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Meisei (M6) beat Nishikigi (M4$
Nishikifuji (M3) beat Endo (M2)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Midorifuji (M1)
Abi (M1) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Shodai (K)
Korobayama (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Takakeisho (O)
terunofuji (Y) beat Ura (M4)
Leader: 4 at 5-0
Of note: There was some controversy surrounding Tobizaru-Takakeisho as the referee declared Takakeisho the winner in a clearly blown call. Takakeisho was going for an uwatenage (over arm throw) and his arm clearly hit the ground before Tobizaru’s body did. Replays quickly confirmed the obvious overturning by the judges. Nikkan Sports reported afterwards that the referee, who is the chief referee in sumo, offered his resignation to stablemaster Hakkaku, who is also the head of the Japan Sumo Association, following what was his 10th mistaken call since promotion to chief referee in 2019. The offer was declined.
Elsewhere, Daieisho fell from the unbeaten group today after his first loss, leaving 4 at 5-0: Terunofuji, Wakamotoharu, Meisei & Asanoyama. There are two at 0-5, Midorifuji & Endo, but somebody’s 0 has got to go tomorrow because they face each other.
Bushozan, currently 4-1, is the Juryo man up tomorrow and faces Ichiyamamoto.

Juryo:
Shishi (Ms2) beat Fujiseiun (J13)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Chiyosakae (J12)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Shimanoumi (J13)
Tokihayate (J14) beat Hidenoumi )J11)
Tomokaze (J12) beat Kitanowaka (J10)
Ochiai (J8) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Daiamami (J9)
Takakento (J7) beat Akua (J5)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Tochinoshin (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Oshoma (J4) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Bushozan (J3) beat Shonannoumi (J1)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Enho (J3)
Leader: Gonoyama, Shimazuumi, Ochiai (5-0)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki. Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Mitoryu (M16) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Ichiyamamoto (M15) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Oho (M16)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Myogiryu (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M13) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Daishoho (M11)
Hokuseiho (M11) beat Ryuden (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Onosho (M9)
Takanosho (M8) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Meisei (M6) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Kinbozan (M5) beat Mitakeumi (M6)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Ura (M4) beat Midorifuji (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Shodai (K)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Abi (M1)
Kiribayama (S) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Takakeisho (O) beat Endo (M2)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Leader: 5 at 5-0
Of note: If you want fans to be disappointed, go for the big man HENKA!!! Takakeisho did just that to the crowd’s dismay, and it was more a half move due to his knees but it got him the easy win over Endo to go to 3-1, 5 wins from getting out of kadoban status. No such issues for Terunofuji as he showed hos upper body strength is still there-once his arms lovk in the opponent’s arms near the biceps, it’s simple lift and carry to victory for the yokozuna as demonstrated today against Tobizaru by his impressive kimedashi (arm barring force out). Terunofuji is in a group of 5 atop the leaderbord including 2 Sekiwake (Wakamotoharu & Daieisho), a resurgent Meisei and of course Asanoyama. On the other side, the biggest disappointment has to be Midorifuji, who started 10-0 in March. In May his start is now 0-4.
Watch for potential HENKA!!! again at the top tomorrow as Takakeisho gets The Flying Monkey Tobizaru tomorrow while Terunofuji’s opponent is the always-unpredictable Ura. Tohakuryu will be the Juryo man up for the day tomorrow from J2, drawing Tsurugisho.

Juryo:
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Kotokuzan (Ms2)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Tamashoho (J11)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Daiamami (J9)
Ochiai (J8) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Takakento (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Akua (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tochinoshin (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Enho (J3)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Bushozan (J3)
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Leader: Gonoyama, Shimazuumi, Ochiai (4-0)
Of note: Ochiai has been competing with a heavily taped left shoulder/upper body, perhaps related to his apparent injury last tournament. Perhaps his performance with maybe one good arm should serve as a warning-when/if he gets fully healthy, look out as the former Hakuho could have a Yokozuna in his stable much sooner rather than later, very fitting for the greatest Yokozuna ever. Co-leader Gonoyama is now halfway to the top tier at J1, if he keeps this up he’ll be in Makuuchi in July.
Interesting side note tomorrow-Shishi, a favorite of who I get Makushita match videos from on YouTube-is tomorrow’s Makushita man in Juryo. He gets huge crowd reactions in part because he is from Ukraine, which makes for interesting backstories should he ever face Russian rikishi Roga. Shishi is 2-0 at Ms2 and will face 3-1 Fujiseiun.

Finally, during a live stream of his SUMO PRIME TIME show yesterday on YouTube, host/NHK announcer Hiro Morita seemingly confirmed that Takayasu, who withdrew on Day 1 due to a thigh injury suffered in practice that morning, is out for the tournament and will try to return in July. He’ll be in the top tier still but will be demoted from Maegashira 2, probably down to Maegashira 10 or 11. Also, former top tier mainstay Ishiura, who has fallen down to Jonidan, again pulled out due to a back injury that has kept him out for about a year now. He’ll maybe drop to Jonokuchi or even be unranked in July.

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Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna. J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Oho (M16)
Kagayaki (M17) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Mitoryu (M16) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Hokuseiho (M11) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Daishoho (M11) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Onosho (M9) beat Ryuden (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takanosho (M8)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Meisei (M6) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Ura (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Abi (M1) beat Kiribayama (S)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Shodai (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Takakeisho (O) beat Abi (M1)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Endo (M2)
Leader: 6 at 3-0
Of note: Although he won, Takakeisho looks worrisome still with his knees, clearly in discomfort stepping off the dohyo after his match and it showed on his face. Let’s just hope he can hold on long enough for 8 wins and getting out of kadoban status. On the flip side, no such issues for Terunofuji as he has looked strong in a 3-0 start so far. Asanoyama seemingly got lucky today, as his win over Kotoeko came via reversal after a Mono-ii (Judges conference) after the win first went to Kotoeko. Kiribayama took his first loss today but nothing to worry about in terms of Ozeki promotion chances yet, while Daieisho & Wakamotoharu continue strong starts to keep their chances alive as both went to 3-0. Hoshoryu fell victim to a HENKA! (Dodge) at the start by Tobizaru and took a flash loss to The Flying Monkey. Also of note-in the last 2 tournaments, including this one, Shonannoumi has now been up 3 times as a Juryo man and is 3-0 in those appearances with today’s win.

Juryo:
Kawazoe (Ms1) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Chiyosakae (J12)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Kitanowaka (J10)
Daiamami (J9) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Ochiai (J8) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Takakento (J7)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Hakuyozan (J6) beat Tochinoshin (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Akua (J5)
Bushozan (J3) beat Enho (J3)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Oshoma (J4)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Leader: 5 at 3-0

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top tier):
Gonoyama (J1) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Mitoryu (M16) beat Oho (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M15) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Myogiryu (M14)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Aoiyama (M13) beat Daishoho (M11)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Ryuden (M10) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Onosho (M9) beat Takanosho (M8)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Meisei (M6) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Kinbozan (M5) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Shodai (K) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Kiribayama (S) beat Endo (M2)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Daieisho (S) beat Ura (M4)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Midorifuji (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Takakeisho (O)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Abi (M1)
Leader: 10 at 2-0
Of note: Takakeisho concerns raised today as his knees were tightly taped and it clearly affected him against Kotonowaka. It may be a struggle just to get out of kadoban status with 8 wins. The good news for the Kyokai is Kiribayama, who needs 10 wins to meet criteria for Ozeki promotion (or another championship, the criteria is 2 straight championships or 33 wins over 3 consecutive tournaments in Sanyaku, meaning at Komusubi and Sekiwake) is off to a perfect 2-0 start and now only sits 8 wins from potential promotion. Wakamotoharu is also in Ozeki consideration but probably needs a championship unless he can manage 13 wins, but all the Sekiwake are 2-0 which is a good sign. Also 2-0 is Asanoyama after another easy win, and Terunofuji who maybe caught a break when Abi had his right knee/leg go out in their match. Hopefully not an injury, it looked to me like Abi just slipped and lost his footing. For now Abi is still in the tournament but we’ll see. No Takayasu return yet, NHK World Japan made it sound like he’s out for the tournament after his Opening Day last-minute withdrawal. After Gonoyama won today, Shonannoumi gets the Juryo man spot tomorrow and will face Oho. Shonannoumi is currently 1-1 at Juryo 1.

Juryo:
Shiden (Ms1) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Fujiseiun (J13)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Ochiai (J8) beat Daiamami (J9)
Atamifuji (J9) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Takakento (J7)
Hakuyozan (J6) beat Akua (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Tochinoshin (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Enho (J3)
Bushozan (J3) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Leader: 7 at 2-0
Of note: Shiden, looking to get a second chance at Juryo after being forced to miss his debut tournament, is halfway there as he picked up the Makushita man win to go to 2-0 and probably get a couple days off bow as the lower tiers just finished their first matches today. Gonoyama was in the top tier and won tiday. Azumaryu is an early struggler again as he’s a quick 0-2 after his latest demotion from the top tier and Enho is also 0-2, but his pattern the last year has been alternating winning and losing tournaments. Unfortunately that means’s he’a due for a demotion. And despite strong fan support for the former Ozeki it’s another 0-2 start for Tochinoshin.
Kawazoe, the fan-favorite human slinky at Ms1, gets to be the Makushita man tomorrow for his first chance in Juryo. He lost his first match and will try to get to 1-1 against Tokihayate.

All the lower tiers have finished their first matches but in Makushita Shiden is the early 2-0 leader because of an early second match today. The lower tiers also had their usual slate of Day 1 withdrawals, only one in Makushita, among the notable names is Kironofuji in the Sandanme. He reportedly has been forced to retire due to involvement in a bullying scandal that engulfed Isegahama Beya earlier this year that also caused stablemaster Isegahama to resign from his position as chief judge. Apparently not involved was Terunofuji, a member of the stable.

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 1-Opening Day-of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Oho (M16) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Mitoryu (M16)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Aoiyama (M12) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Hokuseiho (M11) beat Daishoho (M11). This match went 3 minutes (marathon in sumo)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Ryuden (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Onosho (M9)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Takanosho (M8)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Meisei (M6) beat Mitakeumi (M6)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Ura (M4) beat NIshikigi (M4)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Endo (M2)
Daieisho (S) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Takayasu (M2) by default/withdrawal
Kiribayama (S) beat Midorifuji (M1)
Takakeisho (O) beat Abi (M1)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Shodai (K)
WITHDRAWAL: Takayasu (M2), Thigh injury suffered in training this morning. Out indefinitely. Not known if he will return this tournament but will not return tomorrow. Gonoyama will be the Juryo man coming up tomorrow and will face Kagayaki. Wakatakakage was a pre-tournament withdrawal as expected due to knee surgery (torn MCL and ACL). Out 6-12 months. Given the surgery was after the March tournament when he withdrew on Day 14, he definitely will miss July and will be questionable at best for September.

Juryo:
Tokihayate (J14) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J13)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Daiamami (J9) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Ochiai (J8) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Takakento (J7)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Akua (J5) beat Tochinoshin (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Roga (J4)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Enho (J3)
Bushozan (J3) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Shonannoumi (J1)
With Gonoyama in the top tier tomorrow, Shiden will be the Makushita man up for the day and will face Tsushimanada.

With the May 2023 Tournament beginning late tomorrow, the first 2 days’ matches for the top tier have been announced, along with some final pre-tournament observations:

It’s official-Terunofuji is back. The Yokozuna returns after missing all or part of the last 4 tournaments due to injuries. His opening opponent is Shodai, who returns to Sanyaku at Komusubi for the first time since his demotion from Ozeki. Takakeisho, looking to avoid demotion from Ozeki after withdrawing during March because of injury, opens with Abi while March champion Kiribayama has Midorifuji. Asanoyama, returning to the top tier for the first time since 2021, opens with Chiyoshoma.
On Day 2 we’ll see our first Kinboshi (Gold Star Victory) chance in a while as Terunofuji faces Abi (Maegashira 1). A Kinboshi is whenever a Maegashira beats a Yokozuna in a tournament match (except when due to withdrawal). Other notable Day 2 matches are Takakeisho vs. Kotonowaka and Kiribayama vs. Endo. Asanoyama’s Day 2 for is Taurugisho, now (I believe) the biggest rikishi in the top tier without Ichinojo around.
So far the any only pre-tournament withdrawal at any level is Wakatakakage, which was expected as he is out anywhere from 6 months to 1 year due to injury. He was at Komusubi after withdrawing on Day 15 in March, demoting him from Sekiwake after over a year. Also Ichinojo retired, which is the only one so far.
Finally, the traditional pre-tournament ring purifying ceremony will be held later today. You can watch LIVE FOR FREE on the Nihon Sumo Kyokai Japanese YouTube channel beginning at 6 PM PT/9 PM ET below (the ceremony usually runs around 25 minutes, there is no commentary):

Breaking sumo news: Nikkan Sports reports Ichinojo, the March Juryo Champion and July 2022 Emperor’s Cup winner, has retired effective immediately. He will submit a formal notice to the Japan Sumo Association today (tomorrow US time). A translation of the Nikkan Sports report says the reason is chronic back pain which is not completely treatable. It should be noted that Ichinojo, at well over 450 pounds/206 kilos, is the largest rikishi in the top 2 tiers of sumo. The report also states he will not take a former master’s name and will leave sumo completely.

Ichinojo, real name Takashi Miura, is from Mongolia but is a Japanese citizen. He was ranked at Maegashira 13 for the May tournament and has 3 career championships, one top tier championship (July 2022) and 2 Juryo championships including March. He won 4 special prizes and is believed to lead all current rikishi with 9 kinboshi (Gold Star victories, when a Maegashira defeats a Yokozuna). His highest ranking was Sekiwake, the 3rd highest in sumo. He debuted in January 2014 at Makushita 15 and needed just 2 tournaments to reach Juryo, tied for the second-fastest promotion ever, won the chanpionship in his Juryo debut, and just 5 tournaments to reach the top tier, reaching Sekiwake in just his second top tier tournament after going 13-2 with 2 Special Prizes in his Makuuchi debut. But after his July 2022 triumph he had 2 straight losing records and then was suspended for January for outside-competition misconduct announced as coronavirus protocol violations, returning at Juryo in March and going 14-1 and winning the championship in what will now be his final tournament.

UPDATE: On their official Japanese Twitter, the Nihon Sumo Kyokai has confirmed and announced Ichinojo’s retirement.

It’s that exciting time again-now that the next tournament is less than 2 weeks away, the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) has announced the updated Banzuke (Official Rankings) for the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. Below are the rankings for the top 2 tiers:

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Yokozuna: Terunofuji
Ozeki: Takakeisho
Sekiwake: Kiribayama (March Champion), Hoshoryu, Daieisho, Wakamotoharu
Komusubi: Kotonowaka, Wakatakakage, Shodai
Maegashira 1: Abi, Midorifuji
Maegashira 2: Takayasu, Endo
Maegashira 3: Tobizaru, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 4: Ura, Nishikigi
Maegashira 5: Kinbozan, Kotoshoho
Maegashira 6: Meisei, Mitakeumi
Maegashira 7: Hokutofuji, Tamawashi
Maegashira 8: Sadanoumi, Takanosho
Maegashira 9: Onosho, Hiradoumi
Maegashira 10: Ryuden, Takarafuji
Maegashira 11: Hokuseiho, Daishoho
Maegashira 12: Aoiyama, Kotoeko
Maegashira 13: Chiyoshoma, Ichinojo (March Juryo Champion)
Maegashira 14: Asanoyama, Myogiryu
Maegashirra 15: Ichiyamamoto, Tsurugisho
Maegashira 16: Mitoryu, Oho
Maegashira 17: Kagayaki
Initial notes/thoughts: Takakeisho is in kadoban status due to withdrawing in March due to injury, meaning he must finish May with at least 8 wins or he will be demoted from Ozeki, so obviously zero Yokozuna chances this time. All indications are Terunofuji will return from a long injury absence here. Kiribayama can be promoted to Ozeki if he wins the tournament again, along with Hoshoryu having another chance, and we still have a Waka at Sekiwake as Wakamotoharu earned promotion to the 3rd highest rank as younger brother Wakatakakage was demoted due to withdrawing on Day 14 in March with injury and finishing the equivalent of 7-8. Although at Komusubi this time, Wakatakakage will be absent this tournament (could be out up to 1 year, best-case seems to be 6 months) and further demoted. Asanoyama and Ichinojo return to the top tier (Asanoyama after nearly 2 years, Ichinojo after one tournament following a suspension), although both are one or two ranks lower than I expected given Ichinojo went 14-1 and won Juryo and Asanoyama went 13-2. Kinbozan was among the big movers up, his Fighting Spirit Prize and 11 wins in his debut effort sees him jump up to M5 while Mitoryu & Oho just hang on to their top tier spots. Ryuden was the biggest drop as a disastrous 2-13 March dropped him to Maegashira 10. And in a return to his old form after his first winning record in the top tier in his career, Azumaryu unfortunately is demoted back to Juryo.

Juryo:
Juryo 1: Gonoyama, Shonannoumi
Juryo 2: Azumaryu, Tohakuryu
Juryo 3: Bushozan, Enho
Juryo 4: Oshoma, Roga
Juryo 5: Tochinoshin, Akua
Juryo 6: Hakuyozan, Shimazuumi
Juryo 7: Takakento, Churanoumi
Juryo 8: Atamifuji, Ochiai
Juryo 9: Daiamami, Chiyonokuni
Juryo 10: Chiyomaru, Kitanowaka
Juryo 11: Hidenoumi, Tamashoho
Juryo 12: Tomokaze, Chiyosakae
Juryo 13: Fujiseiun, Shimanoumi
Juryo 14: Tokihayate, Tsushimanada
Notes/thoughts: After an impressive Juryo debut that saw him in title contention until an injury halfway through derailed him, Ochiai jumped from Juryo 14 to Juryo 8 for what will be his third career tournament. The top tier in July is probably out of reach but he’s on pace to get there in September and likely be the first to reach or return to Makuuchi since former Yokozuna Hakuho took over Miyagino Beya, unless fan favorite Enho gets back first, and he has a chance at J3. Fujiseiun & Tokihayate are the Shin-Juryo rikishi this time, making their second tier (considered pro) debuts with Fujiseiun needing about 2 1/2 years to get there and Tokihayate making it in just over 4 years. Chiyosakae is Sai-Juryo, returning to the second tier after being demoted to Makushita. As for Tochinoshin, all indications are he is not retiring and will continue competing despite injuries that saw him drop to J5 from J2, but at least one more go for the former Ozeki. With no notable names demoted from the top tier Juryo should be more competitive this time around.

Other notes: Makushita Champion Ryuo jumped up to Makushita 3 for this tournament, while the “human slinky” Kawazoe just missed Juryo and is Makushita 1, so a winning tournament gets him to the second tier along with Shiden, who is also at Makushita 1 and looking to return to Juryo (he had to sit out what would have been his second tier debut). After returning to Juryo, Tokushoryu is demoted back to Makushita, and fell to Makushita 6 this time. Terutsuyoshi was demoted to Makushita 5 after rallying to finish 3-4 after taking another demotion following a 1-4 start, but that still means no epic salt throws for another tournament. He hasn’t had a winning tournament in a year. Toshunryu, the March Sandanme champion, made a huge jump up to Makushita 15. The Sandanme remains at the “new normal” 90 rankings with former top-tier wrestler Kyokutaisei continuing his attempts to climb back to the top after demotion all the way to the bottom-he’s up to Sandanme 3, while Jonidan Champion Suguro moved up to Sandanme 60. The Jonidan will have 106 ranks this time including closing bow-twirler Satonofuji chugging along at Jonidan 85 and Jonokuchi Champion Asahakuryu starting from Jonidan 13, and finally the Jonokuchi will have 23 rankings with a total of 45 wrestlers, the majority neecomers in their debut tournament.

5/3 UPDATE: Nikkan Sports reports Takakeisho has undergone a shikona, or name change. I’m trying to nail down exactly what it is and also am awaiting confirmation from the Kyokai.

According to Japanese news website Hochi News, Wakatakakage has been released from the hospital following successful right knee surgery. He is expected to be out at least 6 months, meaning the to-be-former Sekiwake will miss at least 3 tournaments which should cause him to fall to Juryo if he is able to return by November, but stablemaster Arashio noted Wakatakakage won’t return until he is 100%, so it could be next year and if so, that almost certainly would see the March 2022 champion demoted to Makushita.

Wakatakakage suffered the injury on Day 13 of the March 2023 Tournament in Osaka and missed the last 2 days. He had been 7-6 at the time, meaning he finished 7-7-1 (win-loss-absent), the equivalent of 7-8, which would mean he will be demoted from Sekiwake after over a year and constantly being in Ozeki contention but coning up just short.

4/15 UPDATE: YouTube channel reporter “Chris Sumo”, who is a reliable source with insider connections, now says Wakatakakage will be out at least one year. That means if he can return in March or May 2024, he’ll be looking at demotion to the Sandanme or Jonidan and starting his climb to the top from there. As the middle of the Wakas in sumo (he has two brothers, younger brother Wakamotoharu was at Komusubi in March and finished with a winning record, older brother Wakatakamoto is a Makushita mainstay who has never promoted above the third tier), Wakatakakage would be close to 30 by a potential return so age may work against him.

A new YouTube video from the “Chris Sumo” channel, who is a reliable English-language source with connections in the Japan Sumo Association, reveals some early injury news and notes for the May Tournament, good and bad.

The Good: Yokozuna Terunofuji will be back. He is on the current April tour to get daily reps in and it sounds like his knees are constantly improving and he’a good to go. It was hinted that he may have retired already if he wasn’t the sole yokozuna but there seems to be none of the customary retirement pressures on yokozuna following consistent poor performance or, in this case, extended absences due to injuries.

The Bad: Wakatakakage and Onosho are likely out of the May Tournament. Both withdrew in March due to injuries (Wakatakakage on Day 14, one win short of keeping his Sekiwake ranking, which would now be gone anyway with missing May). Onosho is reportedly out 2 months with knee issues so he has a chance to participate, but an ACL injury will cost Wakatakakage 3 months and definitely his year-plus spot in Sanyaku. Onosho could be demoted to Juryo is he misses May, finishing the equivalent of 4-11 (4-5-6) in March at Maegashira 4 which means demotion. It sounds like Daieisho will definitely return to Sekiwake now in May. Hoshoryu and Kiribayama will both have chances at Ozeki promotion after May but likely just one could make it as they will probably need to win the tournament. If Kiribayama wins again he’ll meet the primary criteria for Ozeki promotion, which is win consecutive tournaments at Sekiwake.